Stay in Hungary after you graduate: “Study-to-work” residence permit

Are you studying in Hungary as an international student? Have you ever wondered if you could stay in Hungary after you graduate? Of course you can, if you find a job or start a business on your own. But how could you possibly do that while still studying hard and writing your thesis? The answer to this question is the new “study-to-work” residence permit.

Residence permit for fresh graduates

Regularly, you can get a residence permit if you are a student, you have a job, or you run a business on your own. However, a student visa is valid only until you graduate, and you can apply for a residence permit based on gainful activity only when that activity is already being performed.

Getting a job or starting a business right after you graduate is very difficult. To help foreign students bridge the gap between graduation from a Hungarian university and starting a gainful activity, there is a new type of residence permit available for fresh graduates. This “study-to-work” permit allows applicants to stay another 9 months in Hungary after graduation, which is plenty of time to find a job or start a business – at which point this interim permit can be changed to a residence permit based on gainful activity.

Who can apply for the “study-to-work” residence permit?

Every foreign student receiving a degree from a Hungarian university or college (or any other higher education institute) is eligible for the study-to-work visa but you must hand in your application no later than 15 days before your student residence permit expires.

For the application, you will need to verify that:

• you are either looking for a job or setting up a company (for this, we offer consultation);
• you have the funds to stay in Hungary, for example with a bank statement showing that you either have enough money or regularly receive money from abroad;
• you have a valid health insurance;
• you have accommodation;
• you have the means to leave the EU in case your permit is denied.

The authorities might ask for further documents. If your “study-to-work” residence permit is denied, you cannot stay in Hungary after you graduate, and will have to leave the country when your student visa expires. As a result, it is essential that you apply BEFORE your student permit expires.

Convert your student visa to a full residence permit

So, if you are a foreigner studying at a Hungarian university and want to stay in Hungary after you graduate, you just have to

1. apply for a “study-to-work” residence permit for fresh graduates
2. find a job or make preparations for starting a business – for which you have 9 months
3. apply for a residence permit based on gainful activity (which is either your new employment or the operation of the company you start)

If you need help with handling this brand-new residence permit for you, look no further: we are right here. Bring your friends and ask for a significant group discount! Just call our office on +36.1.317.8570 Monday – Friday, or send us a letter to info@helpers.hu.

Stay in Hungary after you graduate!

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